Summing up the Bloomingburg election

Andrew B. Weil

Lamm and those challenged by Hoppe were subpoenaed to appear in court twice and were instructed to bring with them any information they had to support their claim of residency and right to vote. This was their chance to support their claims. In violation of the law, not a single person appeared, including Lamm. Instead, faced with no substantive legal argument and the threat of perjury, loss of government benefits and prosecution on felony charges for election fraud, Lamm and his minions folded. Officially, Lamm “withdrew” from the case, not on the merits, his attorney said, but because Lamm had the good of the community in mind. Judge Schick’s response? “Oh, I think your client’s withdrawal has everything to do with the merits.”

When Shalom Lamm had the chance to be and act like an American, in the America of free speech, free elections, free enterprise and personal responsibility, the America he so often uses to bolster the rationale for his conduct, he balked. Judge Schick admonished Lamm and all of the no-shows for making a mockery of our democracy by claiming their sacred right to vote was violated and then not having the gumption and integrity to seek truth in the court of law. It is now time for Lamm and all involved in these shenanigans to pay the piper. He should be ordered to pay all court costs and the legal fees incurred by the citizens of Bloomingburg. Lastly, District Attorney Farrell will have much explaining to do if he cannot explain publicly why all involved are not prosecuted.